Big, big scarab

Description

Phileurus truncatus, an impressive beetle I find occasionally under lights during the summer. This one is about 35 mm long, and it is impressive in bulk as well--very solid. They are said to be carnivorous--a captive specimen I kept for a while enjoyed dog kibble. I believe that both males and females have horns--an unusual trait among horn-bearing beetles. I've never been able to find two healthy specimens at the same time to study any interaction--mating or fighting. I have never seen them in anything approaching their natural habitat, but it is supposed to be woodlands. One source says that they are attracted to smoke and have been known to set cabins on fire by coming down chimneys, dragging burning embers down to the interior! Unlike some beetles, these are very placid when handled, and this one was particularly so, though it seemed healthy. Ranges across the southern US and south through the New World Tropics--there are records on BugGuide as far north as Virginia. Most members of this genus are tropical.